Sunday Homily, July 24, 2016, 17th Sunday Ordinary Time
Readings:
Genesis 18, 20-32, The story of Sodom & Gomorrah.
Psalm 138, Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Colossians 2, 12-14, He has forgiven us all our transgressions.
Luke 11, 1-13, Ask and you will receive.
Book of Genesis, Ch 18
— Probably written during the Babylonian captivity (6th century BCE) to help solidify Jewish people in their identity as the people of God.
Letter of Paul to church in Colossae: Ch 2
— Colossae was a small community in Asia Minor, east of Ephesus. This letter is written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.
Gospel of Luke: Ch 11
It’s in the letter to the Colossians that we learn Luke was a physician, the only mention of that fact. Luke was probably Greek and the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament, and accounts for almost a third of the New Testament (with Gospel and then Acts). This Gospel probably written between 80-100 AD, 3 or more generations after Jesus. It was still being edited after 100 AD.
Homily on 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 24, 2016
Each week of the year the Church selects readings from Scripture to teach us about God, to feed us with words that give life and comfort and challenge, and that remind us that we are one with God and one with each other.
Today we learn again about God as merciful, as generous, as giving of the Spirit.
These teachings about God’s goodness and mercy and generosity were tested for my family a couple of weeks ago when our friend Alex Folz died suddenly in his sleep at age 48. Alex’ wife Leslie, her grown children Sarah, Mary, Liz and Peter, Alex’ parents Libby and Gene, his 3 sisters, Ali, Amy and Annie, Lambrini and her Mom, Kalliopi, and myself, and so many friends, work mates and acquaintances have been in shock and grief over his passing so suddenly from our lives.
Lambrini met Alex as a co-worker at the Louisiana Department of Revenue 19 years ago. Lambrini and Alex hit it off and became ‘best buddies’. Before long Lambrini and me and Kalliopi were treating Alex as part of our family. For years, several days a week, he would join us for meals. He helped Kalliopi with her garden, plowing and digging. He worked at learning enough Greek to be able to communicate with Kalliopi, which she loved about him. Alex watched over our house and cared for our dog, Coco, whenever we were away. Coco loved Alex and ran to greet him whenever she saw his car drive up. We shared tools and vehicles and did all the things good friends and family do with each other. Alex was a big OU Sooners fan. He and I watched football games together and he and Mama and I would go eat meat together.
A few years ago he travelled with us on one of our trips to Greece. Lambrini has always missed her 2 brothers, George in Greece, and John in Massachusetts who died over 10 years ago. And Alex became her ‘best buddy’. It was a rare day they didn’t speak, in person or by phone.
Alex was very close to his parents and sisters. He spoke with his parents every day and to his sisters frequently. He loved his nephews and nieces and talked about them all the time. Alex had friendships he maintained from his college years at OU in Norman, especially his good friend Shawn. He had tennis buddies who met weekly to play together. He joined a singles’ group, and that’s where he met Leslie. In talking about their families, Alex and Leslie discovered that when they were little, their families had lived close to each other in the same area of Indiana, and some even knew each other. Leslie’s grown kids showed had real caring for Alex, and were so happy that their mom had found love in her life again. Alex and Leslie married last July at the Catholic Cathedral downtown. What a happy day that was.
Alex and Leslie were on a trip for Alex’ annual visit with his family for the 4th of July weekend, and then they drove on to Chicago for a few days’ relaxation before Leslie’s daughter’s graduation from grad school that Saturday. On Thursday Alex did not awaken and I got the call from Leslie. Lambrini flew up to represent our family at his funeral in Indiana.
We are taught and know that God is merciful, and generous and gives us the Spirit of life. And we are tested when bad things happen to good people. As the shock of Alex’ passing has gradually become a little softer, we have begun to see who Alex was to us; how he too was merciful and generous and giving of the Spirit to those around him; how his life made our lives better and more full; and much more fun—we laughed loud a lot with Alex. As we grieve over this loss, we have realized that Alex was a presence of God in our lives. Remember John Stack’s question to the parents and Godparents whenever he performs a Baptism: when is the last time you saw God? Alex showed God’s Spirit over and over in a way that stays with me and gives me joy. It has also been amazing to see his parents, in their grief, show such concern and caring for all of us feeling the loss of Alex. And Leslie, dealing with her lost dreams and their lost plans for the future; and yet reaching out to give care and love for others who share the pain of loss. It really helps that we are all in this together and that Alex’ life has left a lasting mark on all who were connected with him.
We know from the Book of Job that there is no perfect answer for such losses. For Lambrini and her mom and me it’s been other people who care and just connect with us that has made a difference. So many family and friends have reached out to us just to be connected at this time. I want you to know that I have definitely experienced and appreciated your support. You listened; you didn’t try to define my grief or give it a meaning or take it away; you have showed me you are present to me and you are with me. You are a part of the mercy and generosity and Spirit of God in my life. Thank you for that.
My question today is: How do you find comfort and the Spirit when you are tested? And how are you part of that comfort and Spirit for others?